Brigade beats them all

Competing against other West Australian and Victorian brigades, Bassendean finished in front with 64 points ” 17 points clear of second placed Harvey and 28 points ahead of 2013 Victorian Title winners Kangaroo Flat of Victoria.

The Easter Championships comprised 16 major individual and team events with Bassendean VFRS continuing their outstanding results from previous competitions.

Bassendean VFRS coach Peter Forbes said the team had a very successful season, placing third at the WA State Open Championships and second at the Victorian Championships. It also won the WA Annual Championships which was the brigade’s 25th title in 110 championships.

‘We had success right across the program with Marc Papalia winning the champion firefighter for results in individual events,’ he said.

‘This was the fifth consecutive time Marc has won this title and it was on the back of him also winning this title at the Victorian and State Open Competitions.

‘Andrew Middleton also had success in placing in his individual events. In the team events we won five and finished second in another two events to overcome challenges from Harvey and Kangaroo Flat.’

Mr Forbes said the team was happy with the result in blitzing Kangaroo Flat after coming so close to winning the Victorian Title for a second consecutive year against the Victorian brigade earlier this year.

He said the team felt relieved knowing all the hard work put in during the season had paid off.

‘We commence our pre-season in about October and just build up our general fitness and then from early December spend two to three nights a week training competition specific hose and reel events,’ he said. ‘The work of volunteer firefighters is still vital to a community and Bassendean has a rich local history as it was established over 100 years ago, and we still have a number of members that have provided over 50 years service to the brigade and community.

‘Our brigade is regularly called out to provide support at bushfires of which, unfortunately, over the summer months we have seen too many of.’